“ As we get older our balance becomes compromised and our muscles find it more difficult to do things like walking.

“It’s very frightening to fall in old age, so we try to help people get their confidence back and encourage them to do exercises that will help them be more stable.

“When I met John, like the other patients he was very nervous and everyone had given up on him ever being able to walk properly again.

“Most patients aren’t motivated to do any exercises at home so the classes give them encouragement.

“John really got in to it and loved the social atmosphere. He came on tremendously – it was actually really inspirational.

“Then one day during a break he stood up and walked without his sticks around the room handing out biscuits to the rest of the group.

“I couldn’t help but cry because he has done so well against the odds.”

Mrs Lucienne Ferguson, aged 89 and from Garstang, attended the classes after a fall in her garden damaged her knee. She had to live with her daughter until it got better and she missed her independence.

She said: “I was doing exercises at home, but I wanted to push myself so I could get out and about again.

“I was also worried about injuring myself again if I had another fall. At the classes I learn new exercises to try and get encouragement from everyone else. It gives us all an incentive. I have very much enjoyed coming.”